Most peaceful BLUE Mbuna species?

[Johnenewt1]

Hi... I am currently setting up a peaceful 65-gallon Mbuna-only tank and currently own: Yellow Labs, Acei (Violet), and Rustys. I would like to add one more type of fish that is Blue in coloration. Based on your experiences, please recommend the most peaceful blue Mbuna I can add to my tank (shade of blue does not matter). Thank you for your help. :)


John

[2poc]

What about some cobalt blue zebras or some socolofi?

I have had both, found the socolofi too aggressive but no problems with the cobalts & I have mixed them with the fish you mention below.

[Michael Oliver]

Another possibility is Pseudotropheus "acei" (my writeup is at http://malawicichlids.com/mw09005e.htm). This undescribed species is widely available, relatively peaceful for a Pseudotropheus (but can be aggressive on occasion), and attractively colored.

[Johnenewt1]

Another possibility is Pseudotropheus "acei" (my writeup is at http://malawicichlids.com/mw09005e.htm). This undescribed species is widely available, relatively peaceful for a Pseudotropheus (but can be aggressive on occasion), and attractively colored.

I already own the Acei - read above. And they're Violet, not blue.

[Michael Oliver]

So you did - silly me. I've seen acei I would definitely call blue. It depends on the light source too. Nice fish, whatever the color.

[chris murphy]

The words peaceful and mbuna dont usually go hand in hand, especially when you are using such a small tank.

Are you looking for monomorphic fish or dimorphic?


I would try Cobalt Zebras or Saulosi's?

[chris murphy]

I would call Acei blue myself.

[Johnenewt1]

The Pseudotropheus Acei appears "blue" in photos because of the camera's flash. However, true Acei's are Violet to the naked eye in person under normal lighting conditions. I am going to go with the Pseudotropheus Saulosi, and if they terrorize any of my current fish, back they go...

[chris murphy]

Fair point John. I always found Saulosi kept in the right ratio (1m:4f) to be peaceful when kept with Caeruleas.

[s4surf]

there is a blue form of Labidachromis. Their temperment is closer to your Acei and Yellows and won't groe as large as standard mbuna.

Steve

[Lisachromis]

I had some pretty aggressive acei before. The largest male was hyperdominant. He tried to spawn with everything I had. He never succeeded, but liked trying. He was more persistent than nasty though. Unfortunately I lost my group when I was at an ACA convention. I lost alot of stuff in that tank. Only a few survivors. I was doing water changes in my tank at 2am to save the rest...

[kbuntu]

I don't know about Saulosi. They were very aggressive in my 120 Gallon. I would have to go with Acei or some sort of Lab. I think Mbuna's are just an aggressive specie in general. It will depend on several factors such as decoration, male to female ratio. I have 5 Demasoni's in my tank as well and despite what everyone is saying I haven't seen any aggression. They are breeding on regular basis and keep to them self. So try it and figure out what will work for you.

[RMR]

You may want to try a redtop zebra.... I have a full grown male in my tank full of other mbuna's along with one hap and one victorian and he is not agressive at all other than the ocassional running others off but no biting. Also, maybe an electric blue johanni or demansi, I have both of these in my tank as well and even though you will read and others may say different mine or rather peaceful. The only bad boy in my tank is the electric blue ahli but the redtop zebra mentioned above keeps him at bay pretty well.